GMS:Vectors

If the Vectors item in the Display Options dialog is selected for an object (TIN, Grid, or Mesh), vector plots can be generated using the active vector data set for the object. One vector is placed at each node, cell, or vertex.

Vectors can be generated from a MODFLOW *.ccf file. This is accomplished by locating the *.ccf file in the Project Explorer. This file would be listed in the MODFLOW solution folder. Having located the *.ccf file, right-click on the file and select the Generate Vectors command. Two new entries appear in the Project Explorer: a vector and magnitude file.

The display of vectors can be controlled using the Vector Options dialog accessed through the Vector Options command in the Data menu or from a button in the Display Options dialog. The dialog options are as follows:

Dimensions

The Auto compute length toggle is on then GMS will compute the length of the vectors. If this toggle is off then the Length can be edited. The edit fields labeled Length, Head width, Head length, and Stem width control the size and shape of the vectors. The Head width, Head length, and Stem width are expressed as a percentage of the Length of the vector.

Vary Length and/or Color

Often it is desirable to vary the display of the vectors according to the magnitude of the vector function at a current point. This can be done with the Vary length according to magnitude and Vary color according to magnitude. If the Vary length according to magnitude option is selected each vector is displayed with a length equal to the magnitude of the vector multiplied by the Scaling ratio. If the Vary color according to magnitude option is selected, the vectors with the smallest and largest magnitude are draw in the color of the lowest and highest colors on the current color ramp. All other vectors are drawn in a color which corresponds to its magnitude from the current color ramp.

Display Every Nth Vector

If the Display every _nth vector is selected, only every nth vector is drawn. This is useful when the model is so large that drawing every vector clutters the display.

Color Specified Range

It is possible to have the current color ramp vary over a specified range of the active vector data set. This is done by selecting the Color specified range option and editing the Min magnitude and Max magnitude edit fields.

2D vs. 3D Vectors

If you are in one of the orthogonal views (xy plane, xz plane, yz plane) the vectors will be displayed as 2D vectors. If you are in oblique view then the vectors are displayed a 3D vectors.

See also

• Data Sets

• Display Options